Camping Themed Classroom Ideas

Camping Themed Classroom Ideas

Please note: These are not all of my own ideas

Bulletin Boards:

We’re Ready to Learn S’more
Who’s Camping Out in ___ Grade?: Trace or precut a tent pattern (use large triangle shape, with tent stakes at corners) Let children decorate their tents, then cut a slit up the middle to make the tent flaps. You can also have the children draw a picture of themselves sleeping in their sleeping bags or use a cut out for them to color as themselves (use multicultural crayons). Attach the decorated tents to the bulletin board let children tape the "picture " of themselves sleeping inside the tent flap. (bend the flaps back so you can see inside the tent.) ** You could also use a small photo of each child's face to hide inside the tents. Change them around and let the children guess who is inside each tent.
Word Woods
Mountain Math
Writing Waterfall
Word Wilderness
GameGeyser
Construction Cove
PocketChartPark
Camp Read-a-lot ReadingTent
Read around the River (room)
Big Book Boulder
CraftCanyon
Computer Cliff
Poetry Pond
Drama Den
Theme Trail
Research Rock.

Beginning of the Year Ideas:

Camping Ice Breakers: Go around the group with each child saying his name and something he/she looks forward to doing on this camping trip.
Show and tell :Pair off and find something really interesting to share with the group. It might be an unusual rock, ant hill, an interesting tree,pretty leaf,etc.
Drawing: Give them paper and items to draw and make it into a contest. Ask them to draw whatever comes to their mind when you say the word CAMP.Save it and give it to them at the end of the trip. They could keep it as a keepsake of their trip.
Name Games: There are many variations to this game. -We're going camping and I'm bringing (something starting with "A")The first one will say what they will bring, the next will repeat that item and add their own to the list, something that starts with "B".This continues all around until the whole alphabet has been used. At the end of the evening,(or next morning, even) give them each a piece of paper and see who can write down what was listed (from A-Z) earlier in the game.The one who can remember the most will get a prize! -My name is...... (then roll the ball to)...... -Introduce the child sitting next to you, and something they like to do.
Continued Story: Leader starts a ghost story (or an adventure or mystery)continue it with each child adding to the story.

Writing:

Write a camping cookbook class book
Write a camping guide class book
Write directions for how to do something while camping (example: setting up a tent)

Math

Tent Matching:Cut ten small tents from a variety of colors. Cut out another set just like the first. Write numbers 1-10 on both sets to the matching colors. If you have older kids who know their numbers mix up the colorsso they do not match.
Camping Sorting:Give children several pictures of camping equipmentas well as several pictures of household items. Have them sort home from camping.
Collect things you might see while camping outside. Bring back to the room and sort by what they are. Example: Rocks, leaves, twigs etc... Divide into sets and count each set.
Measure fish cut-outs
Have students make their own fish cut-outs, measure, and then graph the results as a class.

Science:

Sink or Float:Set up a bucket or tub with clear water. In a tray to the side add twigs, pebbles, rocks,feathers, leaves, roots, pine needles, etc... Discuss which ones the kids think might sink or float then try each one. Draw a chart and add pictures to the sink side or float side.
Have binoculars and magnifying glasses available.
Have students explore the room with flashlights looking for light and shadows.
Older students can make their own flashlights using wire, batteries, and lightbulbs.

Social Studies:

Discuss needs and wants while camping.
Research different places to go camping.

Arts and Crafts:

Easel Painting or Fence Hanging with Clothes Pens: Paint with browns, greens, yellows and oranges. Paint with feathers, flowers, grasses, leaves, twigs. Cut heavy cardboard into tent shapes. Have kids trace around them and then cut out. Either paint or use markers to decorate the tents. Use same cardboard shapes and cut out after tracing. Glue small twigs, leaves and grass to tents. Give each child a thicker piece of posterboard or cardboard. Glue on pebbles collected outside.
Tackle Boxes:Collect an egg carton for each child in your care. Punch two holes in the top and have them put a piece or yarnthrough the holes and tie off. You may need to help the little ones.Paint the egg cartons and provide "s" shaped styrofoam pieces for worms. Paper clips and yarn for fishing gear.
Creating Confetti Pillows: This is a great idea a camping theme -What neat sit-up-ons! Just think of the fun the children will have exploring the different textures and colors of the filling, and then cutting, shredding, stuffing and sewing. The process is as rewarding as the spectacular cushions you will create. You will need: clear plastic cut into 1-15 inch squares large ric-rac trim (about two yards) cut to 4 15 inch strips a variety of filling material: fabric pieces (felt, burlap, silks and netting) ribbon, yarn, streamers (crepe paper or metallic) glitter, confetti, shredded paper, colored feathers, etc..... What to do: 1. place the ric-rac 1" from the edge of the plastic pieces2. stitch both plastic pieces and ric-rac together, use a zig-zag stitch to prevent tearing the plastic 3. leave a 6-8" opening and enough ric-rac to cover the opening4. prepare the filling by cutting, shredding and mixing the fabrics and papers5. fill the pillow with stuffing 6. stitch the pillow closed.
Ideas for summer camp craft activities
potato prints
mobiles
puppets
stationery
kites
face painting
cartoon drawing
sand castle building
tie dying
stone people
pet rocks
mini flower pots
paper plate letter holders
macaroni and seed pictures
plaster art
bug collecting
pencil holders
peanut butter sculptures
cookie decorating
graham cracker houses
apple people
marshmallow people
piggy banks
animal masks
origami
God's eyes
piñatas
paper mache
finger painting
texture drawings
splatter painting
egg carton animals
weaving
decoupage
leather
bottles
tissue paper
seed jewelry
peach pit rings
snake prints
sun silhouettes
pressed flowers
clay objects
litter collection
build mini cities
waste baskets
pudding finger paint
bread painting
edible necklaces
pretzel and peanut butter log cabins
nature collages
Friendship Necklaces: These can be made the first day or week, and the kids can exchange with their buddy.
Camping Paintings:Paint with leaves, sticks, flowers and rocks, with rubber worms.
Camping Collage:Collect leaves, pebbles, twigs, pine cones, etc. Provide glue and tagboard. Use materials to make a collage.
Make Star Pictures:Use black paper and a toothpick on a piece of carpet. Punch holes in the paper to make stars and then hang in the windows.
Stick Man:Take the children out to hunt for their own stick. Then let them paint and decorate the sticks with odds and ends. They can add wiggle eyes also.
Nature Wreaths:Cut out the center of a paper plate. Then the children can add nature items that they have found outside. They can embellish their wreaths with glitter and ribbon and other odds and ends.

Circle Time:

What's Missing?:Bring out different pieces of camping equipment. A canteen, portable stove, sleeping bag, cooking tools,lantern etc... Ask the children to close their eyes. Hide one of the pieces then ask the children to open their eyes. Can they guess which one is missing? Bring one backpack to the circle.
Take a pretend camping trip to the lake or beach. Ask each child what one thing they would pack into the backpack. As they describe what they will bring pass the bag to them and let them pretend to pack up their item.
Camping Out Indoors: 1. Notify parents of your activity. Ask them to provide a sleeping bag or bed roll for their children. This will be kept at school for one week. Ask them also to provide any camping gear such as mess kits, canteens, flashlights, backpacks, etc.2. Set up the play area with the available equipment. 3. Talk about what is needed when we go camping and demonstrate the camping equipment. Talk about the children's own camping experiences.4. Act out things families do when they are camping (setting up tent, fishing, cooking, roasting marshmallows).5. Compare camping out to being in one's own house. 6. Read the children a story while they snuggle in their sleeping bags or bed rolls.7. Allow the children to use the camping equipment during free play time.8.Lay a trail throughout the building or playground for the children to follow. At the end, have a special treat or game. Make hot dogs and beans or campfire stew for snack time.9.The second week in the camping unit is about the night, the moon, and stars. Hang from the lights, gold stars and a moon on the wall by the tent. At the beginning of the week write a note to the parents that you will be having a PJ PARTY and the children should bring their PJS and a soft sleep toy on Friday. At the party, have popcorn and watch a video, e.g.. "Barney Campfire Sing-Along". 10. Color with glow-in the -dark Crayons 11. Make star gazers out of toilet paper rolls and wax paper12. Make stars and ask the children what they wish for and hang them above the camp fire 13. Make an Owl Mask 14.Talk about night workers LIST THEM15. Talk about Night Animals and what they do16. What do we do in the day and what do we do at night 17. Talk about where they sleep. Compare it with different animals18. Graph what the kids sleep with. 19. List moon and star facts.20. Ask the kids what they do before they go to bed 21.Make paper bag knapsacks, fill with small *hiking* type treats and go on a neighborhood hike22. Sing songs around the campfire 23. Take *quiet time* and story time on sleeping bags around a pretend campfire24. Make s'mores for a fun treat 25. Change dramatic play area into a camping area: backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, sweatshirts, flashlights, cooking tools, a tent etc.26. Pretend to sit around the campfire. Sing campfire and favorite songs.Good lead into fire and match safety.

Construction:

Provide Lincoln logs, sticks, pebbles, etc., for students to design their own mini-sites

Sensory

Water play with brown water (Food colorings orange and green).
Leaves.
Rocks and pebbles.
Sand and mud.
Pine cones and needles.

Cooking:

S’mores:Place a large marshmallow on a squaregraham cracker. Next place a square ofsweet chocolate on top of the marshmallow. After this place the graham cracker on a bakingsheet and put into a 250 degree oven for about 5 minutes.
Make a Trail Mix:1 package of granola cereal, ½ pound chocolate chips, ½ box raisins, ½ pound peanuts, ½ pound banana chips

Safety:

The Fire:If at all possible get a local park ranger to come talk. Tell a story of Smokey the Bear. Smokey's job is to keep fires from spreading. Build a pretend fireplace with blocks ringed by other (rocks) blocks. Discuss:Always have a water bucket and a dirt bucket for putting out fires. Always put out all the fires before going to sleep. Always have an adult with you. Never go in the woods or water without an adult. Don't forget to discuss the bathroom in the woods!

Dramatic Play:

The CampSite:Set up a pup tent and throw in two blankets. Provide buckets, play food, flannel shirts,back packs, Play fishing poles, camping cooking gear. I use the real things. Aluminum plates and pans as well as canteens.
Camping Animal Puppets:Set up a play puppet show place for kids. Add puppet animals for kids to pretend to be the animals in the woods.
Try to include a collection of the following items to enhance children's play: maps, plastic picnic set, sleeping bag, tent or sheets, pillows, flashlight, lantern, food and drinks, picnic basket, red yellow and orange tissue for fire, books, song books, guitar, cooler, pillow, fishing set, canteen, mosquito netting, rope, back pack, lawn chairs, binoculars, camp stove(cardboard box), wood, hiking maps, back packs, cooking utensils. camera, clothesline and clothes pins, poster board fish, stuffed animals, raincoats, shorts, sunglasses, sweatband, swimming suits small tent (or one created from an old sheet hung in the corner of a fence) books about wildlife, natural items (sticks, leaves, drift wood, tree stumps, wood, rocks), plush forest animals (Blue Jay, Raccoon, Chipmunk, Moose, Fox, and Black Bear, beaver, owl, wolf), artificial plants

Field Trips and Guest Speakers:

Visit a local campground or camping store to learn more.
Invite someone who camps to speak with the class and possibly bring their camper if they have one.

Children’s’ Books:

When Peter Was Lost in the Forest by Hans Peterson
Bambi's Fragrant Forest by Felix Salten
Bailey Goes Camping by Kevin Henkes
Curious George Goes Hiking by Margaret Rey and Alan Shalleck
Camping in the Mountain by Lucille Wood
The Berenstein Bears Go to Camp by Jan Berenstein
Camping in the Temple of the Sunby Deborah Gould
Do Not Disturb by Nancy Tafuri
The Lost Lakeby Allen Say
Three Days on A River In A Red Canoeby Vera B. Williams
When Daddy Took Us Campingby Julie Billhart
When I Go Camping With Grandmaby Marion Dan Bauer
Arthur Goes to Camp
Bailey Goes Camping
Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping
Camping Spree with Mr. Magee
Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp
Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite!
Ronald Morgan Goes to Camp

Helpful Student Websites:

(camping lesson using the computer for K-3)
(webquest for grades 3-5)

Helpful Teacher Websites:

(songs and poems)
(activities)
(songs)
(variety of ideas)
(crafts)
(variety of ideas)
(mainly crafts and language arts)
(upper elementary lesson on budgeting using the internet)
(national parks official site)
(national parks foundation site)
(National Parks Conservation Association site)
(camping songs)
(songs)
(classroom site with a camping theme containing pictures and downloads)

Songs and Poems:

We'll Be Camping With Our Family

(Sung to: She'll Be coming Around the Mountain)

We'll be camping with our family at the lake, at the lake!

We'll be camping with our family,

We'll be camping with our family at the lake, at the lake!

We will have to make a list of what to bring, what to bring!

We will have to make a list,

We will have to make a list of what to bring

We will take our fishing poles and some bait, and some bait!

We will take our fishing poles,

We will take our fishing poles and some bait, and some bait!

We will catch a stinky fish from the dock, from the dock!

We will catch a stinky fish,

We will catch a stinky fish from the dock, from the dock!

Going Camping

Cherry Carl

I am going camping with my mom and my dad.

We are going to the forest and that makes me glad.

I am taking my tent and my sleeping bag